Trouble Deepens for Australia as England Look to Keep Up the Pressure

The Australian cricket team lost the Test series in South Africa 2-1. With this result, the side gave up the top spot in the Test rankings to their rivals. The team were bowled out for 99 and 111 in the series, and this led to criticism.

Sky Sports commentator Michael Atherton said that selection decisions were being questioned. Marnus Labuschagne has gone 49 innings without a Test century, and his omission from the squad ahead of the home series against New Zealand is seen as almost certain. Nic Maddinson was called up even though he has not played first-class cricket since March 2025. In South Africa he scored 56 runs in four innings, including a 33-ball duck, and was then dropped.

Atherton said Australia could suffer a collapse before arriving in England. He stressed that England's Test side also has gaps, particularly the need for a front-line spin option. However, it was said that England would take encouragement from Australia's situation.

England will try to keep up the pressure during the white-ball tour, which starts on Friday 13 November and consists of three one-day internationals and five T20 matches. Australia have decided to rest Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins for all eight matches. In contrast, Test players such as Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw are expected to feature in the one-day games.

Atherton said, "Even with some of the big names not playing, it is an opportunity to put pressure on Australia. They will be pushed to make their selections, cope without their big names and keep their results respectable." Former player David Warner also harshly criticised the team's performance after the third Test defeat in Cape Town.